Developers, residents and community groups are invited to share their views on a proposed charge that could be introduced to new developments across the Greater Cambridge area.
South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and Cambridge City Council (CCC) have drawn up proposals to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a charge that can be applied to new developments to help fund essential infrastructure.
CIL is widely used by local authorities across England as a way of ensuring that new housing and commercial developments help fund roads, transport links and other services required by growing communities.
Cambridgeshire is considered to be one of the fastest growing areas of the country, and the levy would go towards the major infrastructure that will be needed such as strategic transport improvements.
Charges
CIL would apply to certain types of new development, with charges calculated per square metre of new floorspace. According to the councils, the scheme is designed to ensure that growth contributes fairly to the infrastructure required to support it.
For example, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s draft charging schedule offers a proposed rate of £60 per metre square for residential developments, retirement housing, residential institutions and student accommodation. The rate for shops, restaurants, financial and professional services as well as hotels is listed as £50 per square metre.
Meanwhile, the proposed charge for offices and research facilities is £175 per square metre and £35 for industrial uses including data centres.
The councils intend to submit a Draft Charging Schedule for examination under Section 212 of the Planning Act 2008. Before submitting the draft for independent examination, the councils must make the document and supporting evidence publicly available.
The consultation period will run until midnight on Sunday 29 March 2026. For further information, visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council website.
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